Surfboard with removable skeg



Jan. 21, 1969 T.'H. MOREY ET AL I SURF BOARD WITH REMOVABLE SKEG FiledApril 5, 1967 INVENTORS: THOMAS H. Money KARL o. POPE,IH

Jan. 21, 1969 11H. MQREY ET AL I 3,422,471

SURFBOARD WITH REMOVABLE SKEG Filed April 5, 1967 z 7 fl ,0 O 7 r/ 7 A 7INVENTORS THOMAS H. MOREY KARL 0. POPE,III FIG. 9

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United States Patent 3,422,471 SURFBOARD WITH REMOVABLE SKEG Thomas H.Morey, 36 Lincoln Drive, and Karl D. Pope IH, 6377 Clemens St., both ofVentura, Calif. 93003 Filed Apr. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 628,070 US. Cl. 9-3106 Claims Int. Cl. A63c 15/06 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosurerelates to -a surfboard structure for enabling easy insertion andremoval of a skeg such that shipping of boards is facilitated and easyreplacement of a damaged skeg can be effected. The rear under surface ofthe board includes an elongated channel receiving the base portion ofthe skeg, one end of the channel being undercut to define a slopingsurface and one end of the base portion of the skeg having a similarlysloping surface to wedge with the channel sloping surface. A suitableexpanding means in the form of a threaded bolt and socket is providedbetween the other end of the channel and base portion such that afterthe base portion of the skeg has been received in the channel, theexpanding means is actuated to urge the sloping front portion of thebase portion against the undercut sloping wall of the channel therebywedging the skeg tightly in the channel. The design also is such that adownward component of 'force is provided on the other end of the skegbase portion against which the expanding means acts. The side walls ofthe channel and side walls of the base portion are tapered to takeadvantage of the downward force component and thereby effect furtherwedging of the skeg along its sides as well as at its opposite ends.

This invention relates to surfboards with removable skegs or fins andmore particularly, to an improved structural arrangement of a surfboardand skeg facilitating removal and replacement of the skeg.

Many surfboards aremanufactured with a skeg or fin molded directly tothe rear under surface of the board in such a manner as to essentiallyconstitute an integral part of the board. While the skeg itself isusually manufactured as a separate part as by an injection moldingoperation, it is applied to the board during the wet lay-up of theFiberglas resin laminations making up the board proper. Once the resinhas set, the skeg thus becomes a permanent part of the surfboard.

An advantage in forming the skeg or fin as a permanent part of the boardas described above is that the skeg will always remain in its setposition in exact alignment with the board and the possibilities of anylooseness or flutter is wholly avoided. On the other hand, boards withpermanently molded skegs are difficult to ship because of the protrudingnature of the skeg, are fixed in design to the particular contour of theskeg employed, and in addition, should the skeg become seriouslydamaged, a major portion of the board as a consequence of its Fiberglaslamination type construction is also usually darnaged around the skegarea.

With the above in mind, it is a primary object of the present inventionto provide an improved surfboard with a removable skeg wherein improvedstructure is provided enabling easy removal and insertion of the skegand yet in which the skeg, once secured in position, is so held that allof the advantages of an integrally formed skeg are realized without theforegoing noted disadvantages thereof.

More particular objects of the invention are to provide an improvedsurfboard and removable skeg structure so designed that boards may beshipped separately from the 3,422,471 Patented Jan. 21, 1969 skegs withthe attendant advantages of easier packaging, the skeg itself mayreadily be inserted at the point of sale by any of the retail outletpersonnel or even by the surfer himself, and wherein it is a simplematter to replace darnaged skegs or to substitute other skegs having agiven contour in accord with desired performance by the surfboard.

Briefly, these and other objects and advantages of this invention areattained by providing an elongated channel on the under rear surface ofthe board designed to receive an elongated base portion of the skeg. Oneend of the channel is provided with a sloping end wall defining anundercut portion such that the channel floor is of greater length thanthe upper opening of the channel. One end of the base portion of theskeg similarly includes a sloping end surfaceto mate with the slopingwall in the channel. A longitudinally expanding means is provided between the other end of the channel and the other end of the base portionof the skeg and functions to urge the skeg forwardly and downwardly intothe channel such that it is locked in place. In preferred embodiments ofthe invention, the channel walls themselves are tapered such that thewidth of the floor of the channel is slightly less than the width at theupper opening of the channel and the side walls of the skeg base portionare similarly tapered such that wedging of the skeg in the channelresults in wedging pressures all along the Walls of the base portion aswell as at opposite ends with the result that the skeg is completelystabilized after it is once set in position.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a surfboard incorporating a removableskeg in accord with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded view illustrating a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross section of the elements illustrated inFIGURE 2 when in assembled condition;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross section taken in the direction of thearrows 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross section similar to FIGURE 3 butillustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a cross section with certain components shown in full linesof a part of the securing structure of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view taken in the direction of the arrow 7 of FIGURE6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating amolding means for forming a channel in accord with a second embodimentof the invention; and,

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary cross section of the assembled components inaccord with the second embodiment.

Referring to FIGURE 1 there is shown a surfboard 10 having a skeg 11secured within an elongated channel 12 'formed in the rear under surfaceof the surfboard 10.

Referring to both FIGURES 2 and 3, the channel 12 includes a wedgeshaped block 13 at one end to define a sloping end wall 13a such thatthe floor of the channel is slightly longer than the upper opening ofthe channel, the sloping end wall defining an undercut. The other end ofthe channel 12 is arranged to receive a longitudinally expanding meansin the form of a socket structure 14 threadedly receiving a bolt 15. Theprotruding end of the bolt terminates in a conical end 16 which facesthe sloping end wall 13a.

The base portion of the skeg 11 as illustrated in both FIGURES 2 and 3includes at one end a sloping surface 11:: matching the sloping end wall13a. The other end of the base portion in turn includes a comicallyshaped dimple 11b. The bolt 15 itself includes transverse openings 17for receiving a suitable turning means to thread the bolt into thesocket as indicated at 18 in FIGURE 2. This turning means may comprise anail 19.

To provide increased strength for the channel, the same may becompletely lined with metal floor, side and end Walls such as indicatedat 20 in FIGURES 3 and 4. With particular reference to FIGURE 4, it willbe noted that the side walls of the channel are tapered slightly as at21 and 22 and the base portion of the skeg 11 has its side wallssimilarly tapered.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES l to 4, the channel 12 isinitially formed by a Suitable elongated rectangular mold piece withtapered side walls during the wet lay-up of the surfboard. The moldpiece is then removed leaving an elongated rectangular channel withsloping side walls. The Wedge block 13 is then bonded into the front endof the channel and the socket structure 14 bonded in the rear end. Thewedge block 13 and socket structure 14 thus constitute a permanent partof the surfboard.

To secure the skeg 11 to the surfboard 10, the bolt 15 is first threadedback into the socket 14 as by means of the nail 19 or any other suitabledevice which may be inserted in one of the openings 17. The base portionof the skeg 11 is then fitted in the channel with the sloping endsurface 11a received under the undercut sloping end Wall 13a at thefront end of the channel. In this respect, the length of the baseportion of the skeg is such that it may readily be received in the upperopening of the channel and the skeg then slid forwardly to cause thefront end 11a to mate with the sloping end wall 130.

After the skeg has been initially positioned in the channel, the bolt 15is then unthreaded from the socket 14 such that its conical end 16 willbe received in the dimple 11b. It will be evident from FIGURE 3 that thedimple is disposed slightly further above the floor of the channel thanthe axis of the bolt. As a result, the lower conical end of the boltwill engage the lower surface portion of the conical dimple and thus adownward component of force will be exerted on this portion of the skegas well as a general urging of the skeg to the left to wedge the frontend sloping surfaces into tight engagement.

Continuous unthreading of the bolt will thus exert downward forces atboth ends of the base portion of the skeg and because of the taperedwall configuration described in FIGURE 4, the entire length of the baseportion of the skeg will be tightly wedged in the channel.

The skeg may be easily removed at any time by simply threading the bolt15 in the opposite direction free of the dimple and the skeg then simplyslid rearwardly slightly and lifted from the channel.

FIGURE illustrates a slightly modified embodiment wherein a skeg 23 isprovided with a rear end sloping surface 23a and a front end dimple 23b.The channel in the surfboard may be molded as described for the channel12 and a suitable lining provided. A wedge block 24 is then received andbonded in the rear end of the channel. A socket 25 and threaded bolt 26in turn are received and bonded into the forward end of the channel.

The socket structure in the embodiment of FIGURE 5, as seen best inFIGURES 6 and 7 includes an upper window opening 27 to provide access tothe bolt 26. The inner portion of the bolt includes an enlarged bodyportion 28 having transverse openings 29 for receiving a turning device,such as a nail, through the upper win dow 27.

The dimple 23b, as in the case of FIGURES l to 4, is positioned slightlyhigher from the floor of the channel than the axis of the bolt 26 suchthat when the bolt 26 is unthreaded from the socket to engage within thedimple, a downward component of force will be exerted on the frontportion of the skeg. This force in cooperation with the downwardcomponent of force on the rear portion of the skeg as a consequence ofthe slope of the wedge block 24, thoroughly wedges the skeg within thechannel.

The operation of inserting or removing the skeg 1n the embodiment ofFiGURES 5, 6, and 7 is similar to that described in conjunction withFIGURES 1 to 4. The only difference is that the modified longitudinallyexpanding means in the form of the socket and bolt and the wedge blockare reversed in positions and this arrangement in certain instances maybe desirable because of easier accessibility to the bolt in view of thegeneral geometry of the skeg itself. The wedge blocks and sockets arepermanently bonded into the channel in the same manner as the wedgeblock and socket structure described in FIGURES 1 to 4.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, there is shown a second embodiment of theinvention wherein a surfboard 30 includes a channel 31 having anundercut sloping end wall 31a at one end and a conical projection 3112at its other end. In this embodiment, the entire channel is formedduring the wet lay-up of the surfboard.

The foregoing is achieved by means of a mold 32 comprising mold blocks33 and 34 secured together by suitable eye bolts A and B. The mold block33 includes a front sloping surface 33a and the mold block 34 includes aconical dimple or cavity 34b.

In forming the channel, the mold blocks are simply disposed in the undersurface of the surfboard during the wet lay-up operation as describedand the various Fiberglas laminations and resins molded about the baseportion of the molds. After the resins have cured, the mold is removedby unthreading the eye bolts A and B and then lightly tapping the block33 as at the point 35 with a hammer to loosen the same. The mold block33 may then be slid upwardly and to the right along the division line33b between the mold blocks. After the mold block 33 has been removed,the mold block 34 is then slid forwardly slightly to leave the conicalprojection 31b formed in the channel and then lifted from the channel.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the skeg structure in this second embodimentwherein a skeg 36 is provided with a sloping front end 36a to match theslope 31a. The rear end defines a threaded socket 36b for receiving abolt 37. The bolt 37 includes an enlarged head 38 terminating in adimple 39. The axis of the bolt 37 is positioned slightly higher abovethe fioor of the channel than the projection 31b. The enlarged head 38may be provided with transverse openings 40 for receiving a suitableturning means such as a nail 41.

In assembling the skeg 36 on the surfboard 30 of FIGURE 9, the bolt 37is first threaded into the rear portion of the skeg and the skeg theninserted in the channel. Unthreading of the bolt 37 will then cause itsenlarged head and dimple portion to engage the conical projection 31band, as in the other embodiments, a downward component of force as wellas a longitudinal component of force will be exerted on the skeg. Theskeg will thus be thoroughly wedged within the channel.

The embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIG- URES 1 to 7 aredeemed preferable to the embodiment of FIGURES 8 and 9 simply becausethe longitudinally expanding means in the form of the socket andthreaded bolt may be permanently formed in the surfboard and will notconstitute a part of the skeg structure. The skeg itself may thus beintegrally injection molded without the necessity of any hardwaresecured thereto.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the presentinvention has provided a greatly improved structure for facilitating theinsertion and removal of skegs from surfboards. Not only is the skeg sosecured as to be substantially equivalent to an integrally moldedsurfboard and skeg, but the securing means is such that a surfer himselfmay easily remove and replace the skeg, if damaged or may replace theskeg with a different skeg in accord with the desired performance of thesurfboard. All of the various advantages of removable skegs are thusprovided and the objects of this invention fully realized.

What is claimed is:

1. A surfboard having a removable skeg, comprising, in combination:means defining an elongated channel on the under rear surface of saidsurfboard, one end of said channel having a sloping end wall surfacedefining an undercut such that the floor of said channel is longer thanthe upper opening of said channel, said skeg having an elongated baseportion receivable in the upper opening of said channel, said baseportion having at one end a sloping end surface to match the slope ofsaid one end of said channel; and longitudinally expanding meansdisposed between the other end of said channel and the other end of saidbase portion when said skeg is in place to enable urging of said skegalong said channel in a direction to cam said sloping end surfaceagainst said sloping wall surface defining said undercut whereby saidskeg is wedged into tight engagement in said channel.

2. A surfboard according to claim 1, in which said longitudinallyexpanding means includes a threaded bolt and threaded socket meansdisposed in said channel, unthreading of said bolt from said threadedsocket means effecting said urging of said skeg to wedge the same andsimultaneously effecting a downward component of force on said other endof said base portion,

3. A surfboard according to claim 2, in which the side walls of saidchannel are tapered such that the width of said channel at its floor isless than the width at its upper opening, said base portion havingmatching tapered side walls such that said skeg is wedged in saidchannel along its side walls in addition to each end.

4. A surfboard according to claim 3, in which said one end of saidchannel having a sloping end wall surface defining an undercut isdefined by a wedge shaped block bonded into the underside of saidsurfboard, said threaded socket means being lbonded into said other endof said channel, and said other end of said base portion having aconical dimple positioned from its bottom end a distance slightlygreater than the axis of said bolt, the end of said bolt protruding fromsaid socket being conical such that unthreading of said bolt urges itsconical end into said dimple to thereby effect said downward componentof force on said skeg.

5. A surfboard according to claim 3, in which said threaded socket meansis formed in said other end of said skegpthe end of said bolt protrudingfrom said socket terminating in an enlarged head having a conical dimplein its end, said other end of said channel including a concal projectionspaced a distance from the floor of said channel slightly less than theaxis of said bolt, such that unthreading of said bolt urges said conicaldimple over said conical projection to thereby effect said downwardcomponent of force on said skeg.

6. A surfboard according to claim 3, in which said bolt includestransverse openings exposed at the upper opening of said channel forreceiving turning means to enable threading and unthreading of saidbolt.

References (Jited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,730,844 10/1929 Dupuis 1l41402,521,212 9/1950 Geisler 114-440 3,137,873 6/ 1964 Garrolini 93 103,287,754 11/1966 Price et a1. 9310 3,323,154 6/1967 Lambach 9-310MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

P. E. SAUBERER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 114-126

